Ann Ashford Makes it Official; Two Women in Omaha House Race

Omaha, NE.—Ann Ashford is making it official. As News Channel Nebraska first reported in November she is running for Congress.

Ashford will battle fellow Democrat Kara Eastman in the May 2020 primary, for the chance to unseat 2nd District Republican Congressman Don Bacon.

The Ashford-Eastman contest (so far no other candidates have stepped in) will mark the first time two women have squared off in the metro Omaha race.

This will also be the fourth straight congressional race with the Ashford name on the ballot.

Ann Ashford’s husband, former Congressman Brad Ashford, ran and won in 2014, lost re-election to Bacon in 2016 and lost the Democratic primary to Eastman in 2018.

It is expected that Ashford, a former Republican, will run as a moderate while Eastman runs as a progressive.

Ann Ashford released this statement to News Channel Nebraska:

I intend to run for Congress to represent all the people of Nebraska’s 2nd District. We need to stop fighting and start working together if we are going to continue to move this country forward. We need someone who will listen to all our constituents regardless of party affiliation. I want to ensure we are all given the opportunity to live the American dream.

Ashford ran for office once before. She lost the 2012 race for a seat on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents to former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub.